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Revenge of the Sith

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
Director: George Lucas
Genre: Science Fiction
Year: 2005
Rating: 5 / 5

Box office record for a single day… Two days… Three days… Four days… Five days… When George Lucas released Revenge of the Sith, the third episode but the final installment in his epic six-movie franchise, on May 19, 2005, box office records around the world fell before it. Such is the reality when the most beloved films of an entire generation finally see their saga come to an end. Backed by overwhelmingly positive reviews – a nice change from the scathing rebukes for The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones - Revenge of the Sith brought new and old fans alike out for an historic event. For some, it was a chance to relive the wonder of their childhood, when Lucas first shared his vision with the world. For others, it was a chance to immerse themselves in a world that has continued to expand thirty years after we first visited that galaxy far, far away.

Three years into the Clone Wars, the Republic is teetering on the brink of collapse. Systems continue to rally to the cause of Count Dooku (Christopher Lee), and the Galactic Senate does not have the power to take the necessary action. The situation is further imperiled with the abduction of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), necessitating a bold and daring rescue. Enter Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), Jedi Knights braving a deadly space battle to rescue the leader of the Senate. With Palpatine’s return, young Anakin finds himself drawn closer and closer to the Senate’s mysterious leader. Palpatine even manages to get Anakin included on the Jedi Council, a move that rankles some members and begins to cast suspicion on the chancellor.

With this intrigue swirling about, Anakin also learns that Padme (Natalie Portman) has become pregnant with his child. The two must still keep their union secret, however, as Jedi are forbidden to marry. Anakin’s desire to keep his family safe is put to the ultimate test when he begins having dreams of death for Padme, a terrible event that will strike during childbirth. Combined with his shifting allegiances and the Jedi Council’s unwillingness to grant him the title of Jedi Master, Anakin gradually finds himself overwhelmed by the events in his life. Only Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, always ready with a reassuring word, seems capable of understanding these inner conflicts. Only Palpatine seems capable of offering him a way to deal with these troubling thoughts. As Anakin begins to lean more and more on his mysterious friend, his descent begins.

Revenge of the Sith is a worthy conclusion to George Lucas’s timeless adventure. The film may not linger in fans hearts like the original films did – although that may be a function of timing as much as anything – but it certainly belongs in the same discussion. The film does have its flaws, including some suspect acting and grade school dialogue – long a Lucas specialty – but its strengths are many. For the first time since Lucas began tinkering with the wonders of CGI, his images blend smoothly into the film, aiding it rather than serving as a distraction. Gone are comic diversions like Jar Jar Binks and the many creatures skittering to and fro in the background. They have been replaced by a tight storyline that races from one exhilarating sequence to the next.

Revenge of the Sith ultimately succeeds because it delivers a compelling story, transporting fans right to the doorstep of Lucas’s original 1977 masterpiece. We watch Anakin’s self-destruction, leading to the eventual rise of one of cinema’s greatest villains, Darth Vadar. We see the Republic’s finals days, the Emperor’s ascension, and the backbone of a great many storylines that will be resolved eighteen years later. A couple of noteworthy performances help to guide us on this journey, including Ian McDiarmid as the ominous chancellor and Ewan McGregor, once again serving as a worthy predecessor to Alex Guinness. George Lucas is the guiding force behind this story, though, and success or failure invariably reflects on him and his legacy. With Revenge of the Sith, the director achieves a result that will surely do all parties proud.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for violence.
Running Time: 140 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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